Four years after the launch of the first P ZERO Velo, the clincher that marked Pirelli’s return to the world of cycling, the company has presented a new generation of clincher tyres.
The 2021 range comes in the form of P ZERO Race, a product designed for performance, and P ZERO Road, an alternative all-round clincher more oriented towards durability.
P ZERO Velo, the progenitor of the range, was Pirelli’s first clincher, launched in June 2017. The new generation of road clincher tyres has been renewed with the aim of offering even more grip, more smoothness and more comfort. In addition, the Italian tyre specialist adds that it has been brought into line with the new standards in the sector.
P ZERO Race
After last year’s launch of P ZERO Race TLR and Race TLR SL as tubeless options, the new P ZERO Race tyre is a clincher model, dedicated to performance.
From the point of view of tread design, the tyre is identical to the tubeless ready version, as is the rubber compound used. P ZERO Race is made with the new SmartEVO Compound.
Each of the three polymers in the tyre provides specific performance attributes, with the aim of ensuring a balance of opposing characteristics, such as grip and rolling resistance. The company adds that this delivers improved grip on dry and wet surfaces and a very low rolling resistance, resulting in smoothness and rideability.
This high-performance compound has already been tested by the top World Tour teams of which Pirelli is a partner: AG2R Citroën, TREK-Segafredo and Team BikeExchange.
Completely new, however, is the construction of the casing, in 120 TPI Nylon, designed for use with an inner tube. The P ZERO Race has been adapted to the new ETRTO 19c rim standards (inner channel size).
As a result, each size of the P ZERO Race tyres has a wider tread than the corresponding P ZERO Velo: a wider and more elongated footprint, for the benefit of rolling performance, puncture protection and control when cornering.
The carcass also features a wider protective belt. Called TechBelt Road. This is an additional layer of Aramid fabric, underneath the compound, that claims to increase puncture protection.
Available in 24, 26, 28 and 30 mm sizes, in black or with para rubber sidewalls (Classic), P ZERO Race will soon be available in a Colour Edition version too (yellow, red or white). The new clincher tyre has an RRP of US$69.90
P ZERO Road
Completing the new range, the P ZERO Road clincher is oriented towards ‘durability, without compromising smoothness and comfort.’ Specifically developed as a multi-purpose tyre, this offering features ‘all-round rubber that is also built to fit modern rims.’
P ZERO Road differs from the Race version in its tread design, with closer and longer grooves, and in its compound, the EVO Compound. Pirelli adds that this makes it a more versatile tyre.
This new clincher offers low rolling resistance, grip, high comfort and durability. P ZERO Road is available in Black, in sizes 24, 26, 28 mm, at an RRP of US$49.90.
The new carcass construction of the P ZERO family stresses the use of recommended pressures and appropriate rims.
‘For this reason, in all its literature, online and on the packaging of the new P ZERO Race and P ZERO Road, Pirelli provides detailed and precise indications regarding both the actual dimensions in relation to the rim and the recommended inflation pressures based on the rim channel used and the weight of the rider.’
